Elias has not made any purchases in the Netherlands

“No purchases were made and no purchase agreement was made in the Netherlands,” Health Minister Antoine Elias told legislators in parliament on Tuesday. Several legislators including MP Asiskumar Gajadien, MP Mahinder Jogi and MP Patricia Etnel had asked parliament to question the Health minister about the recent purchases or purchase agreement that was made and for who the equipment is intended. Minister Elias gave clear answers about his recent visit to the Netherlands. He explained that the Mungra Medical Center (MMC) is in a final phase of a purchase agreement for medical equipment from a company located in the Netherlands. He also explained that the director of the hospital has the right to close such deals. Minister Elias who is the former director reportedly decided to support this phase given the fact that the deal had already been made and that a date had already been chosen regarding the purchase of medical equipment for the MMC. The minister repeatedly made it clear that no other purchases were done and that no other deals were closed during the visit.

The minister also explained that it became evident that there was a shortage of medicines at the importers and local pharmacies at certain moments. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring this situation in order to address the problem. He added that the government is pulling out all the stops to improve the various payments. “The government aims at making all payments correctly and on time.” Improving the nation’s health sector will remain the government’s top priority as mentioned in the Development Plan for 20172021 and the annual speech of 2018.